We love the butterflies, but hate the skunks: Dealing with wildlife in garden

URBANA, Ill. — Unless they are decorative and made of plastic or cement, wildlife in the garden can present a challenge.

Rabbits nip off tender shoots or girdle the bark of young trees; squirrels eat food intended for birds and nip off buds and branches; skunks dig in the yard, raid garbage and leave a memorable musk when frightened.

“Often we plant gardens to attract birds and butterflies. However, other wildlife may be annoying,” said University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Nancy Pollard.

Welcome mat

Uninvited wildlife is attracted by food, water and shelter. Bird feeders, trash cans with lids easy to remove and pet food left outside overnight offer a smorgasbord that unintentionally invites wildlife.

Pollard offers some tips for living with wildlife.

“Animals, like humans, are creatures of habit,” she said. Upon observing landscape harm, take steps immediately before their habits become firmly ingrained.

It ain’t pretty, but it works

In a small garden, you can exclude rabbits with a fence with wire mesh holes 1 inch or smaller; or 1/4-inch by 1/4-inch square openings for wire mesh cylinders for protecting young tree trunks. The smaller size openings also protect against mice.

Purchase a 4-foot-wide mesh roll. Bend the bottom 6 inches outward. Trench the soil, and bury the wire mesh 6 inches deep to prevent rabbits from burrowing under the fence. This allows for 3 feet of fence above ground.

It can be used for washing skin, clothes, dogs and other sprayed items. The peroxide in the solution may lighten the fur of pets.WARNING: Do not save the solution; either use it all or throw it out. Once mixed, the peroxide slowly breaks down into water and oxygen gas. If stored in a closed container, the oxygen gas could explode, depending on how full the container is (a bottle three-fourths full would develop 420 psi, which could do a lot of damage!).